Ballistic vest

ABSTRACT

A protective garment having a system and method for wearing the garment and removal thereof. A system for positioning ballistic plates in the vest for proper orientation of the same.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 61/144,664, filed Jan. 14, 2009 incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the Disclosure

This disclosure relates to the field of ballistic resistant garments, or vests which are designed to protect a wearer from flying objects such as shrapnel, or bullets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental view of a ballistic protective garment in one form being worn by a person;

FIG. 2 is an environmental view of a ballistic protective garment in one form when the user is releasing the front panel from the rear panel at the shoulder position;

FIG. 3 is an environmental view of a ballistic protective garment in one form wherein the user is releasing the front panel from the rear panel at the waist position;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the front panel of a ballistic protective garment in one form;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the interior side of a rear panel of a ballistic protective garment in one form;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the exterior side of a rear panel of a ballistic protective garment in one form with;

FIGS. 7-9 are isometric views of a series of steps to secure a portion of a front panel to a rear panel in one form;

FIG. 10 is a hidden line view of a front panel of a ballistic protective garment in one form;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a ballistic plate positioned upon an open carrier in one form;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a ballistic plate positioned upon a closed carrier in one form;

FIG. 13 is a hidden line view of a ballistic plate and carrier combination being inserted into a front panel of a ballistic protective garment in one form;

FIG. 14 is a partial cutaway and hidden line view of a front panel of a ballistic protective garment in one form;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the front panel of a ballistic protective garment in one form;

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a removable handle in one form;

FIG. 17 is a side view of a removable handle in one form;

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a stock weld enhancement device in one form;

FIG. 19 is an environmental view of a stock weld enhancement device in one form positioned upon a garment being worn by a user.

FIG. 20 is a view of a front panel of a ballistic resistant vest in one form.

FIG. 21 is a view of a rear panel of a ballistic resistant vest in one form.

FIG. 22 is a view of an attachment system in one form connecting the front panel of FIG. 21 with the rear panel of FIG. 22

FIG. 23 is an environmental view of a user, utilizing a rifle harness in one form.

FIG. 24 is a view of a rifle harness in one form.

FIG. 25 is an isometric view of the rifle harness of FIG. 24 in one form coupled to a ballistic resistant vest.

FIG. 26 is a front view of the rifle harness of FIG. 24 in one form coupled to a ballistic resistant vest.

FIG. 27 is a view of another embodiment of a rifle harness in one form.

FIG. 28 is a front view of the rifle harness of FIG. 27 in one form coupled to a ballistic resistant vest.

FIG. 29 is a view of another embodiment of a rifle harness in one form.

FIG. 30 is a view of a MOLLE attachment system on a panel of a ballistic resistant vest in one form.

FIG. 31 is a detail view of a rifle sling coupled to a MOLLE attachment system of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a front view of the rifle harness of FIG. 29 in one form coupled to a ballistic resistant vest.

FIG. 33 is a view of another embodiment of a rifle harness in one form.

FIG. 34 is a front view of the rifle harness of FIG. 33 in one form coupled to a ballistic resistant vest.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a ballistic protective garment 20 worn by a user 22. Before beginning a detailed discussion of the posted protective garment 20, there will first be a description of an axes system 10 as shown in FIG. 4 generally comprising a vertical axis 12, a transverse axis 14, and a longitudinal axis 16. Each of these axes is used to make description of the preferred embodiments more readily understood, and are not intended to be limiting of the scope of claimed concept.

In some instances, letter suffixes are utilized to denote particular elements from a specified group. For example, the panel extensions in general are labeled 36 while a particular panel extension as shown in FIG. 5 is labeled 36B. Furthermore, the orientation of hook and loop fastening systems may be reversed from that shown. Once again, a particular arrangement has been disclosed herein for ease in understanding, and may be reversed, or replaced by an equivalent structure.

The ballistic protective garment 20 as shown in FIG. 1 is operatively configured to be worn by a user 22 and is an improvement in design and convenience over prior ballistic protective garments. The ballistic protective garment 20 may be in the form of a vest, and for ease in understanding will be so described henceforth. One of the improved design characteristics of the vest 20 is that the user 22 is able to separate the front panel 24 as shown in FIG. 4 from the rear panel 26 as shown in FIG. 5. While prior patents including U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,314 allow a user to adjust the vest at the waist portion, and possibly de-couple the front portion of the vest from the rear portion at the waist, it was not usually possible to completely remove the front panel 24 from the rear panel 26. In the field, it is often desired to so remove said panels, such as when a user is injured and not able to be positioned such that the vest can be removed over one's head. In the course of such injuries, it will often be desired to remove the vest 20 from the user 22 to gain access to the injured user 22. In addition, there is a considerable amount of weight involved in the vest 20, not only in its construction and ballistic resistance components, but also any accessories attached thereto such as ammunition, rations, firearms, and the like. Applicant has thus devised a system which can be utilized to support the weight of the vest 20 and accessories without any fear of accidental decoupling, but also can be quickly and easily removable in most situations.

Looking to FIG. 2, it can be seen how the user 22 is beginning to release the front panel 24 from the rear panel 26 by grasping one of the grasping handles 28 at the shoulder position 30. Looking to FIG. 3, the user 22 can be seen beginning to release the front panel 24 from the rear panel 26 by grasping one of the grasping handles 28 at the waist position 32. The particular configuration and operation of this process will be disclosed in detail.

Looking to FIG. 2, to release the front panel from the rear panel in one form, the user 22 grasps the right shoulder outer handle 230 with the user's right hand 232 and releases the right shoulder outer handle 230 from the right shoulder securing member 234. The user 22 then exerts force upon the right shoulder outer handle 230 in a forward direction 236. This releases the front panel flap from the rear panel flap as will be discussed in more detail later. It is quite convenient for most users to access the right shoulder outer handle 230 with the right hand 232 as described. The user will then have access to the inner grasping handle 28B as shown in FIG. 7. The user can then grasp said grasping handle 28B and release it from the panel extension 36A by an upward force in an upward direction 238. A user would also be able to enact such a release by exerting force rearwardly, however given the equipment carried and the normal muscle configuration, a user would have great difficulty exerting force in this direction. Thus the apparatus is designed such that a force in an upward direction 238 would enable such a release.

To release the front panel from the rear panel at the waist position 32 of FIG. 3, the user 22 grasps the right waist outer handle 240 with their right hand 232, or alternatively with their left hand. The user then exerts force upon the right waist outer handle 240 to release it from the right waist securing member 242, and then exerts force in a forward direction 244. Exerting force upon the right waist outer handle 240 in a forward direction 244 releases the outer panel extension of the front panel from the rear panel. This allows access to an inner grasping handle 28B as shown in FIG. 7. The user can then grab this inner grasping handle 28B and force it in an outward direction 246 as shown in FIG. 3, thus releasing the front panel from the rear panel at the right waist position. Similar actions can be taken to release the left shoulder position and left waist position.

Alternatively, the user could release the right and left waist positions, leaving the shoulder positions connected and lift the vest 20 over the user's head, which would allow the user to reposition the vest without re-engaging the shoulder positions.

Now looking to FIG. 4, it can be seen how the front panel 24 in one form can be attached to the rear panel 26 of FIG. 5 at four separate and distinct positions. These positions comprise a left shoulder position 30A, a right shoulder position 306, a left waist position 32A, and a right waist position 32B. In one form, each of the attachment positions comprises a system of repositionable connective members 34. These systems of repositionable connective members 34 may in one form comprise hook-and-loop fastening systems as shown, wherein each panel extension 36 comprises one half of the hook-and-loop fastening system such as the loop portion 38 which is operatively configured to engage a matching panel extension 36 on the rear panel 26 which comprises the hook portion 40 (see FIG. 5) of the hook-and-loop fastening system. To further secure the front panel 24 to the rear panel 26, the panel is some forms may form a locking flap 42 may be utilized to overlay the panel extension 36B upon the rear panel 26.

Referring to FIG. 7, it can be seen that each flap generally comprises a lengthwise dimension 272 which is generally aligned between the panel in the handle and a crosswise dimension 274 generally perpendicular to the lengthwise dimension 272. At the shoulder positions 30, each of the hook-and-loop fastener portions comprise a pad which in one form is between 3 and 8 inches along the crosswise dimension 274. Also at the shoulder positions 30, each of the hook-and-loop fastener portions comprise a pad which in one form is between 4 and 10 inches along the lengthwise dimension 272. Wherein the hook-and-loop pads at the waist positions 32 are in the range of 7 inches along the lengthwise direction 272, this allows for nearly 14 inches of adjustability along the lengthwise direction 272. It is generally desired to leave at least one-inch of each pad connected to the adjacent and matching pad to provide sufficient connection between the front and rear panels.

Shown in FIG. 4 are grasping handles 44, which in one form are attached to the panel extensions 36 and aid a user or other personnel in releasing the system of repositionable connective members 34. To keep the grasping handles 44 from accidentally catching on environmental obstacles, which would be obviously detrimental, a system of securing members is provided comprising a first securing member 48 shown attached to the extension 36C and a second securing member 50 attached to the grasping handle 44A as shown in FIG. 4. In one form, the first and second securing members 48 and 50 comprise a hook-and-loop fastening system. The phantom line 52 shows the grasping handle 44A in the stowed position, wherein it is secured in place by the first securing member 48.

Looking now to the series of operations for attaching one position of the vest shown in FIGS. 7-9, it can be seen how a first panel extension 36A (as previously shown in FIG. 4) can be coupled to a second panel extension 36B (as previously shown in FIG. 5). To begin, the panel extension 36B is pressed upon the panel extension 36A and coupled thereto. In one form, each of the mating surfaces comprises one-half of a hook-and-loop fastening system, although other systems of repositionable connective members can be utilized. Once in place and connected, the locking flap 42 is folded over the panel extension 36B, thus further securing the two elements together as the contacting faces would comprise repositionable connective members. The grasping handle 28A remains exterior to the connected assembly to be easily grasped by a user as shown in FIG. 9; however, the grasping handle 28B remains between the panel extension 36A and the locking flap 50A, and thus cannot be accidentally caught on exterior extrusions. In one form, the inner handle may be positioned against the hook-and-loop portion where it may be operated. Thus in one form it may be desired to coat the inner and/or outer handles with a friction reducing compound. It may be desired to arrange the grasping handle 28B as shown in FIG. 8, to include a folded portion 60 such that the grasping handle 28B will not interfere with the fastening system but will still be available to be grasped when it is desired to release the panel extension 36A from the panel extension 36B. As previously discussed, a securing member 48A can be utilized to hold the grasping handle 28A in position adjacent to the locking flap 58. This maintains the grasping handle 28A in a stowed orientation wherein it will not substantially hinder the user 22.

Another novel feature of the ballistic protective garment 20 as disclosed and shown in FIG. 15 is the ability to favorably position a ballistic plate 60 within a chamber of the vest 20. It can be seen how the front panel 24 comprises a front fabric layer 62 and a rear fabric layer 64. These two layers 62 and 64 result in an open region or chamber 66, which in one form is substantially the same height and width of the front panel 24. Previously designed ballistic resistance garments having removable ballistic plates often utilize a pocket formed as a portion of the front or rear panels which was substantially the same dimension as the ballistic plate to be inserted thereto. Applicant has designed a novel system wherein the ballistic plate 60 may be smaller than, and can be positioned within, the chamber 66. The vertical 12 and transverse 14 position of the ballistic plate 60 can be adjusted and fixed in place relative to the chamber 66 as desired to enhance design and convenience to the user as well as to optimize the position of the ballistic plate 60 for safety.

Looking to FIG. 10, it is disclosed that while the front panel 24 of the vest 20 comprises the fabric layers 62 and 64 previously discussed. These fabric layers may be secured to each other by sewing or other methods along the majority of the perimeter edge 63. It may be desired to include a re-connectable edge 64 such as along the lowermost edge of the vest 20. This re-connectable edge 64 comprises a fastening system 67, such as a hook-and-loop fastening system similar to that previously discussed. Returning to FIG. 15, it can be seen how the loop portion 68 may be affixed to a portion of the front fabric layer 62, while the hook portion 70 may be affixed to the rear fabric layer 64, thus forming a re-connectable edge 64 which allows the ballistic plate 60 to be positioned within the chamber 66.

It may also be desired to divide the chamber 66 into a first pocket 72 and a second pocket 74, as shown in FIG. 15. This is accomplished by including a divider 76, which may be a fabric layer coupled along the perimeter edge 63 to the front fabric layer 62 and to the rear fabric later 64. This divider 76 will allow a soft armor plate 78 to be disposed within the first pocket 72 and leave the second pocket 74 available for a rigid ballistic plate 60 as previously discussed. It will normally be desired to have the soft armor plate 78 closer to the user than the rigid armor plate 60 in use. Also as previously discussed, the re-connectable edge 64 can be utilized such as by a loop portion 80 coupled to the front fabric layer 62 and a hook portion 82 affixed to the divider 76. To facilitate separation of the fastening system 80/82, a handle 84 may be provided. Thus to open the first pocket 72, the hook-and-loop portion 68/70 is decoupled, and to further gain access to the second pocket 74, the handle 84 may be grasped such that the hook-and-loop fastening system 80/82 can be decoupled, exposing the second pocket 74 for access to or removal of the ballistic plate 60.

To facilitate placement of the ballistic plate 60 within the second pocket 74, a ballistic plate positioning system 86 is disclosed wherein the interior surface 88 of the second pocket 74 comprises a first part of the ballistic plate positioning system 86, such as the hook portion of a hook-and-loop fastening system. It may be traditionally desired to have another interior surface 90 also covered by the same fastening system to further enhance positioning of the ballistic plate 60. The loop portion 92 of the ballistic plate positioning system 86 may be affixed to the exterior surface 94 of the ballistic plate 60. This will allow the ballistic plate 60 to be positioned within the chamber 66 such that upon an initial installation, the vertical 12 and transverse 14 position of the ballistic plate 60 can be set to the desired design and convenience of the user.

As an alternative to affixing the hook portion 92 directly to the ballistic plate 60, a carrier 96 may be provided as shown in FIG. 11 which in one form substantially wraps around the ballistic plate 60 and comprises on its exterior surface 98 the loop portion 100 which is operatively configured to couple to the inner surface 88 and/or 90 within the pocket 74. To install the ballistic plate 60 using the carrier 96, the ballistic plate 60 is placed upon the interior surface 102 of the carrier 96. The interior surface 102 may include a friction-enhancing material to reduce slippage of the ballistic plate 60 relative to the interior surface 102 of the carrier 96. Once the ballistic plate 60 is in place as shown in FIG. 11, the lower extension 104 may be folded over the upper surface 106 of the ballistic plate 60 such that the lower tabs 108 are against the upper surface 106 of the ballistic plate 60. As shown in FIG. 12, the upper extension 110 is then folded over the ballistic plate 60 and the upper tabs 112 are engaged with the lower tabs 108. To facilitate this, the upper tabs 112 and lower tabs 108 comprise a hook portion 114 and a loop portion 116. Furthermore, the upper tabs 112 and lower tabs 108 may be positioned in a crisscross-type orientation as shown in FIG. 12.

To install the carrier package 118 comprising the ballistic plate 60 and carrier 96 into the second pocket 74, the fastening system 66 previously discussed must first be released. Access is then gained to the second pocket 74. The hook portions 88/90 may have become attached to each other and must be separated prior to inserting the ballistic plate and/or carrier. Once the hook portions 88/90 are separated, the carrier package 118 can be set within the second pocket 74 in the desired location. To facilitate this, it may be desired to provide a barrier material, such as a layer of cardboard, between the loop portion 100 of the carrier package 118 and the interior surfaces 88 and 90 of the second pocket 74 until the carrier package 118 is properly positioned, upon which the barrier material is removed. To remove the ballistic plate 60, the entire carrier package 118 may be removed, or alternatively, the upper tabs 112 and lower tabs 108 can be released and the ballistic plate 60 removed while the carrier 96 remains in the second pocket 74. This will allow quick and easy removal and replacement of the ballistic plate 60 to its former position.

While it may be desired to have the grasping handles 44 permanently attached to the vest 20, it may alternatively be desired to have the grasping handles 44 arranged as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. As shown, the grasping handles may comprise a removable portion 120. For example, a first end 122 of the grasping handle 44 may comprise a fastening system wherein the first end 122 is placed upon a receiving structure or fastening system 124 which is configured to removably retain the first end 122 in place. The receiving structure 124 may comprise a hook portion 126 of a hook-and-loop fastening system wherein the loop portion is disposed on the first end 122 of the grasping handle 44. Once in place, a locking flap 128 may be positioned over the first end 122, further securing the first end 122 in place. Once again, a hook-and-loop system 130 can be utilized. This removable portion 120 allows the grasping handle 44 to become at least partially detached from the extension 36 when it is caught upon an environmental extrusion as the user passes therethrough. Of course if the removable portion 120 is provided on both ends of the grasping handle 44, it would be possible for the grasping handle 44 to become completely detached from the extension 36.

Now looking to FIG. 18, a stock weld enhancement device 200 is disclosed, which is operatively configured to couple to the ballistic protective garment 20 as shown in FIG. 19 upon a shoulder position 202. Looking now to FIG. 18, the stock weld enhancement device 200 is shown and generally comprises a user contact surface 204 which, when in position, lies against the garment 20. The user contact surface 204 may be planar or may be curved to conform to the user. Also shown is a proximal side 206 which is configured to face towards the centerline of a user and a distal side 208 which is transversely opposite from the proximal side 206. Also shown is a top side 210 generally on the vertical upward surface and a bottom side 212 vertically opposite the top side 210. Also shown is a rifle engagement surface 214 which is operatively configured to engage the butt end of a rifle or other firearm when in use by a user. Positioned between the rifle engagement surface 214 and a user contact surface 204 is a recoil pad 216. The recoil pad 216 is operatively configured to absorb some of the recoil shock generated by the rifle when it is fired. In one form, the stock weld enhancement device 200 is a unitary structure such that the stock weld enhancement device comprises the recoil pad 216. The recoil pad 216 in one form has a durometer rating of approximately 65. To enhance frictional engagement between the butt end of the rifle and the rifle engagement surface 214, a friction-enhancing surface may be utilized such as a series of ridges 218 and troughs 220. One of the major functions of the stock weld enhancement device 200 is that it allows a user to quickly and efficiently position the butt end of the rifle against the user's shoulder. This positioning of the butt end of the rifle against the user's shoulder is commonly called the stock weld, and it is desired for accuracy to have the stock weld be in the proper position each and every time the user raises his rifle to a usable position. To assist in this, the stock weld enhancement device 200 comprises a bottom flange 222 to properly position the rifle along the vertical axis 12 and a side flange 224 to assist the user to properly position the butt end of the rifle along the transverse axis 14. All the user needs to do to achieve a proper stock weld is to position the butt end of the rifle against the rifle engagement surface 214, allowing the side of the stock to rest vertically against the bottom flange 222 and provide sufficient force that one side of the stock of the rifle rests against the side flange 224. To avoid any mis-positioning effected by dirt or debris, a channel 226 may be provided between the rifle engagement surface 214 and the side flange 224.

As shown, the rifle engagement surface 214, may not be parallel to the user contact surface 204 but rather may be angled such that the rifle engagement surface 214 is substantially vertical when the user is in an upright standing position. This configuration provides for a better stock weld between the rifle and the user.

It is often desired for a soldier or other user 22 to shoot around the corners of buildings or other obstacles without presenting a substantial profile. This is normally accomplished by rotating one's shoulder forward such that the butt end of the rifle rests against the user's upper arm adjacent the shoulder rather than against the shoulder itself. This makes achieving a proper or stock weld problematic at best. The stock weld enhancement device 200 as shown comprises the side flange 224 which allows a user to rest the side portion of the stock of the rifle against the rifle engagement surface 214 and the butt end of the rifle against the side flange 224. This allows the user to shoot laterally across one's body such that the recoil of the rifle is transmitted through the side flange 224. In this configuration, it is much desired to have the stock weld enhancement device fixedly coupled to the user 22. To achieve this, the stock weld enhancement device may be permanently attached via rivets, bolts or other adhesive methods to a vest 20. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 18, a plurality of openings 228 are provided near the user contact surface 204 to allow for a MOLLE system to be utilized to connect the stock weld enhancement device to the vest 20.

Looking now to FIG. 32, a rifle sling 248 is shown which generally comprises a sling cord 250, and a connector portion 252 which connects to a rifle. The belt portion connects to the garment 20 on at least one sidebelow the level of an armhole 256. Prior art rifle slings generally either went over the user's shoulder or around the user's head such that the sling could be quickly and easily removed when it was desired to utilize the rifle in a shooting position. More recent rifle slings attach near the shoulders of the user and allow the user to shoot from a right-hand and/or left-hand position while standing or prone without releasing the sling. As the prior art sling was attached to the user on or about the user's shoulders, when the user leaned forward the rifle would interfere with the user's hands as it hung below the level of the user's shoulder and would swing outward from the user's chest in so doing. This disclosure relates to a sling as previously mentioned, which in one form attaches on at least one side, below an armhole 256. In this arrangement, as the user 22 leans forward, the rifle will not swing outward from the user's chest but will remain substantially close to the user.

In one form, the sling 248 utilizes a sling cord 250 which comprises an elastic portion. The elastic portion in one form could extend from the one of the rear anchor position 258 as shown in FIG. 31 around the user's torso to the front of the user 22. Thus when it is desired to position a rifle to a shoulder position, the sling cord 250 will extend to allow such movement. This may result in a slightly downward force as a result of the extended elastic portion which should be easily overcome by most users in the field.

In one form as shown in FIG. 33, the connector portion 252, which connects the cord 250 with the rifle 254, comprises a sliding loop 262 which generally wraps around the sling cord 250 and allows the connector portion 252 to slide along the sling cord 250. This allows the user 22 to shoot from either side of the body. The connector portion 252 in one form, also comprises a connective member 264 which may be a part of the sliding loop 262 and may connect the sliding loop 262 with a swivel 266. The swivel 266 may not be necessary, but may be desired in some forms. In one form, the swivel 266 connects the connective member 264 with a quick release clip 268 or equivalent structure. In one form as shown in FIG. 26, the swivel 266 couples to a rifle as a single point harness, however, other attachment methods could also be utilized.

In one form, the sling 248 pulls against the rear panel 26 of the vest 20. In one form, at least one anchor position 258 is provided on the rear panel 26, such as a loop of cord or webbing. A conventional MOLLE loop 259 system can be utilized as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31. To connect the cord 250 to the anchor position 258 in one form as shown in FIG. 34, a clip 269 or loop may be provided at either end of the belt 250, or a portion of the sling cord 250 may. Clips 269 in one form allow the user 22 to quickly release one or both ends of the cord 250 from the vest 20.

As shown in FIG. 29, to allow the user 22 to adjust the length of the cord 250 for comfort or ease of use, an adjustable buckle 260 may be provided. The adjustable buckle 260 may utilize a non-elastic portion 270 of the cord 250 such as a length of webbing which may in one form extend from the clip 269 to the adjustable buckle 260. In one form, the adjustable buckle 260 also comprises a quick-release mechanism which allows the user to disengage the rifle 254 from the cord 250 by simply releasing this quick-release mechanism on the adjustable buckle 260 and sliding the sliding loop 262 off of the cord 250 past the remaining portion of the adjustable buckle 260.

In one form, the sling 248 as shown in FIGS. 32 and 34, has additional advantages. One advantage is that the weight of the sling 248 and rifle is translated to the rear panel 26 and not to the shoulders or neck of the user 22 as encountered in prior art slings. Thus the weight of the assembly pulls on the rear panel 26 below the lumbar arch of the user, and wherein a ballistic plate is provided as part of the rear panel 26, the assembly functions to pull the ballistic plate and rear panel 26 closer to the user, distributing the weight of the assembly across the user's back, and actually increases comfort of the user and safety the rear panel 26 tends to move with the user 22 rather than as a separate unit. This can also be enhanced by tightening the fit of the vest 20 as previously discussed.

Looking to FIG. 27, another version of a sling 280 is conceived wherein a first end 282 of the sling 280 comprises a hook-and-loop connector portion 284. This hook-and-loop connector 284 comprises a first side 286 having a loop portion of the hook-and-loop fastener thereupon, and a second side 288 having the hook portion of the hook-and-loop connector thereupon. In one form, the hook-and-loop connector portion 284 is configured to attach at a shoulder region 290 as shown in FIG. 28 and allow the sling 280 hang directly downward therefrom when the rifle 254 is not being held in place by the user. As previously described, the opposite end of the sling 280 may terminate in a swivel 266 and/or a clip 268 which fastens to the rifle 254. To ensure that the second end 292 of the sling 280 does not get caught on environmental or other extrusions, the second end 292 may be covered by a protective covering 294 such as a shrink wrap plastic coating, tool dip covering, or any other sort of protective covering. Looking to FIG. 25, it can be seen how the hook-and-loop connector 284 in one form may be fastened to the shoulder position connective members as previously described. In one form, a portion of the sling 280 may pass through an opening 296 disposed between a first seam 298 and a second seam 300. This allows the sling 280 to remain in position upon the front panel 302 when the front panel 302 is released from the rear panel 304.

In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 24-26, both ends of a sling 306 may attach to the shoulder positions as described above. In this way, the rifle 254 will generally hang along the centerline 308 of the user as shown when the rifle 254 is not held in position. This is opposed to the embodiment shown in FIG. 28 when the rifle 254 in a hanging state is obviously substantially to one side of the centerline 308.

As also previously discussed, a portion of the sling 306 may comprise an elastic cord 310 to allow the rifle to be positioned beyond the static extremities of the slide cord.

Another embodiment is conceived which combines two of the above-mentioned styles of slings. This combination embodiment is shown in FIG. 29 and is shown in use in FIG. 32. As previously discussed, the first end 310 of the sling 312 terminates in the hook-and-loop connector 284 described above. Once again a sliding loop 262 is utilized which may also have a protective covering 294 and terminate in a clip 268. The second end 314 of the sling 312 terminates in some sort of fastener such as to attach to the MOLLE loops 259 on the back portion of the vest. In one form, both ends may connect to the MOLLE system of the garment. As shown in FIG. 29, a portion of the sling 312 forms a loop 316 which utilizes an adjustable buckle 260 to attach to the MOLLE loops 259. When desired, at least one quick-release buckle 318 is utilized to substantially separate the sling 312 into a first elastic end 320 and a second end 322 for quick removal of the sliding loop 262. In one form, another loop 324 may be formed to attach the elastic portion 320 to the buckle 318 and terminate in a sealed portion 326 utilized for the same purposes as those of the sealed covering 294 previously discussed.

This embodiment shown in FIGS. 29 and 32 has an added advantage in that as the rifle is released and hangs from the sling 312 by gravity, it tends to reposition below the armhole 256 and generally slide underneath the user's arm and away from the centerline 308, effectively putting the rifle out of the way of the user where it no longer hampers the use of his arms or hands, and does not substantially hinder movement by walking or running.

Looking now to FIGS. 20-22, a different embodiment is disclosed for attaching the front panel 328 to a rear panel 330 of a vest 332. Looking to FIG. 20, the front panel 328 comprises on each side a first portion 334 of the attachment system 336. This first portion comprises a front strap 338 which is connected to the front panel 328 at a waist position 32. This front strap may be secured to the front panel 328 by way of stitches or other connective means. The first portion 334 further comprises in one form a female buckle portion 340 which is operatively configured to couple to the male buckle 342 of the rear panel 330 as shown in FIG. 21. The rear panel 330 comprises the second portion 344 of the adjustment system 336 on one side. This second portion 344 generally comprises a plurality of lower straps 346 and upper straps 348. Each of these attachments comprises an inner loop 350 which is attached to the rear panel 330 by stitching or other attachment methods. Attached to the inner loop 350 is an adjustment buckle 352 which comprises an O-ring, D-ring, or other similar configuration. Connecting the adjustment buckle 352 to the male buckle 342 is an outer loop 354. This outer loop terminates at the male buckle 342 and passes through the adjustment buckle 352 and reconnects by way of a hook-and-loop fastener portion wherein a loop portion 356 is operatively configured to connect to a hook portion 358. A detail of this connection is shown in FIG. 22. This arrangement allows for multiple degrees of adjustment between the front panel 328 and rear panel 330 and allows the vest 332 to be removed by the user by way of the buckle 360 comprising the female buckle portion 340 and male buckle 342.

While the present invention is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants' general concept. 

1. A ballistic protective garment comprising: a) a front panel and a rear panel, b) wherein the front panel and rear panel are configured to be separable and reconnectable from each other and interoperate by way of repositionable connective members, c) at least one of the front panel or rear panel having a front fabric layer and a rear fabric layer such that an open region is formed between the front fabric layer and the rear fabric layer, d) wherein the front fabric layer and the rear fabric layers are configured to be separable and re-connectable along at least one edge,
 2. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1 wherein the repositionable connective members are comprised of hook and loop fastener system.
 3. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1 wherein the repositionable connective members further comprise: a) at least two releasable buckles; and b) wherein each buckle is coupled to a length adjustment system to adjust the distance between the front panel and the rear panel.
 4. The ballistic protective garment of claim 3 wherein each buckle is coupled to at least two independent length adjustment systems.
 5. The ballistic protective garment of claim 4 wherein each length adjustment system comprises a hook and loop attachment system.
 6. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1 wherein the repositionable connective members comprise: a) at least one quick release buckle; b) at least one length adjustment system.
 7. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1 further comprising a single point harness for a firearm, the harness comprising: a) a hook and loop fastener operatively configured to removably couple to a shoulder position on the ballistic protective garment; b) a quick release attachment operatively configured to removably couple to a firearm; and c) a cord member extending between the hook and loop fastener and the quick release attachment.
 8. The ballistic protective garment of claim 7 wherein the cord member comprises an elastic portion.
 9. The ballistic protective garment of claim 8 wherein the elastic portion is covered with an extendable, protective sleeve.
 10. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1 wherein the front layer and the rear layer are separable along a bottom edge, the bottom edge being the edge at the lowermost portion while the garment is worn by a user in an upright, standing position.
 11. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1 wherein a chamber formed by the front layer and rear layer is substantially the entire dimension of the associated front panel or rear panel.
 12. The ballistic protective garment of claim 15 wherein the positioning system comprises hook and loop fasteners.
 13. The ballistic protective garment of claim 12 wherein the hook and loop fasteners substantially cover the entire interior surface of the chamber.
 14. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1 wherein a chamber formed by the front layer and the rear layer is further separated by a divider, the divider operatively configured to delineate the chamber into a first pocket and a second pocket, wherein the first pocket and the second pocket have substantially the same dimensions as the associated front layer or rear layer.
 15. The ballistic protective garment of claim 11 wherein the chamber formed by the front layer and the rear layer comprises a ballistic plate positioning system which is operatively configured to allow a ballistic plate to be fixedly and positionably set within the pocket.
 16. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1 wherein the front panel and the rear panel are configured to be separable and reconnectable along at least two shoulder positions and at least two side positions.
 17. The ballistic protective garment of claim 16 wherein the front panel and the rear panel are configured to be separable and reconnectable by way of hook and loop fastening systems.
 18. The ballistic protective garment of claim 17 further comprising: a) at least one locking flap operatively configured to hinder accidental release of the hook and loop fastening systems; b) a first grasping handle operatively configured to facilitate release of the locking flap, and c) a second grasping handle operatively configured to facilitate release of the front panel from the rear panel at the associated connection position.
 19. The ballistic protective garment of claim 18 wherein at least one end of the first grasping handle is removably detachable from the garment.
 20. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1 further comprising a carrier the carrier comprising: a) an exterior surface comprising one portion of a hook and loop fastening system; b) an interior surface; and c) a ballistic plate restraining system operatively configured to removably and positionably restrain a rigid ballistic plate within the interior surface of the carrier. 21-38. (canceled) 